Cray Wanderers progressed through to the next round of the Kent Senior Cup thanks to a double from Freddie Parker against Ramsgate at Hayes Lane on Wednesday night.
The Wands started on the front foot with Parker going close, while at the other end Rams number 10 Rory Smith had an effort saved by Nicky Blue. Jerome Frederico was a constant threat down the right for Cray and he set up Malik Solebo whose header was saved by Luke Watkins.
Parker was denied by Watkins soon after with Sean Roberts seeing his shot deflected wide from the rebound. Cray continued to have the better of things, Frederico setting up Parker who fired just wide from the edge of the box.
The pace slowed on the half hour and Ramsgate seized the initiative when Referee Hill spotted a shirt pull in the box at a corner and awarded the visitors a penalty. Aaron Millbank coolly tucked the spot kick away to put The Rams in front, but the lead only lasted two minutes.
The Wands were awarded a free kick 25 yards out, which Archie Johnson floated in to Mitchel Nelson, his header across goal fell to Parker who bundled the ball home from close range to equalise.
Cray suffered a huge blow just before half time when Frederico went off with a hamstring injury, but they still had one more chance when Marcus Evans headed over from a corner.
The second half saw Cray have the better of things again and they took the lead on 51 minutes when Bradley Pritchard was brought down by Charlie Dickens as he ran into the box for a penalty. Parker rolled the ball home to make it 2-1 from the spot and the home side the stepped up the pace and played some very attractive passing football, moving the ball round and creating further chances.
Nelson headed wide soon after, while Parker and Solebo both had shots saved by Watkins, Solebo showing some great footwork to make space on the edge of the box. The youngster went close and then had another effort saved before Nelson was also denied by The Rams keeper.
Young sub Iffy Onwuachu made a great run into the box, but placed his shot wide of the target before Solebo was once again denied by Watkins after a great cross from Cain Cruz. Ramsgate had a couple of breaks up field late on, but the home defence coped well with the threat and Cray really should have added to their lead, but for the superb form of Watkins in the away goal who made two further saves from Solebo.
Late on former Cray player Kyron Lightfoot put a chance just wide of the target for Ramsgate, while Onwuachu headed another good free kick from Johnson just over.
There were lots of positives for Cray manager Tony Russell to take from this with young players working hard to get into the reckoning for the league campaign and his side making progress in the county cup playing some very good football.
Cray: Blue, Williams, Johnson, Evans, Nelson, Pritchard, Henry (Garvey-Williams 60), Roberts, Parker (Onwuachu 80), Solebo, Frederico (Cruz 43).
Subs Not Used: Carty, Fujimade.
Ramsgate: Watkins, Laws, Penny, Crimmen, Wheatley, Dickens, Chapman (Stannard 45), Jadama, Millbank, Smith, Lawford (Lighfoot 65).
Subs Not Used: Madden, Mensah, Munday.
Goals; Cray – Parker 35 & 51pen. Ramsgate – Millbank 33mins.
Att: 100 approx
HT 1-1 FT 2-1
Ref: Mr J Hill